Statement from Transportation Alternatives After Two Hit-and-Run Drivers Strike and Kill 46-Year-Old Man in Brooklyn

Just two weeks ago, another Brooklyn resident was killed by two hit-and-run drivers.

Traffic violence has killed 220 people in 2023  — a 25% increase over 2018, the safest year under Vision Zero.

BROOKLYN, NY — On Monday night, a driver struck a 46-year-old man crossing 37th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway in a hit-and-run in Borough Park Brooklyn. Moments later, another driver of a minivan struck the same man in a second hit-and-run.

This intersection is missing even the most basic safe streets infrastructure. The intersection lacks turn calming, daylighting, curb extensions, leading pedestrian intervals – a 5-7 second head start for pedestrians before cars can turn – re-timed lights to 25 mph, or even sidewalks on both sides of the street. 

Statement from Transportation Alternatives Deputy Executive Director for Public Affairs Elizabeth Adams:

“We are horrified to learn that a fellow New Yorker was struck by multiple hit-and-run drivers in Brooklyn last night – less than four miles from where another New Yorker was struck by two hit-and-run drivers only two weeks ago, and just four blocks from where a cyclist was killed last month. We send our deepest condolences to his entire community.”

“We know how to prevent these tragedies, but New York City leaves too many of its intersections dangerous and even deadly. The intersection where two drivers hit this pedestrian doesn’t even have a sidewalk on both sides of the street. There’s no daylighting to increase visibility. This intersection is in desperate need of safety upgrades, but it was left without even the most basic street safety infrastructure.”

“Clearly, New York City must also take action to hold these hit-and-run drivers accountable. It’s unacceptable that four drivers hit fellow New Yorkers and kept going, and we can’t allow them to evade justice and accountability. Last month, the City let the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program – a critical program that required repeat speeders to take a safety course or have their cars impounded – expire without any plan to strengthen or reauthorize it. These reckless drivers are making our streets less safe, and our elected leadership must do more to protect New Yorkers from both dangerous drivers and dangerous streets.”